It looks like Shrike has G to help with the flanking and there's a spot for A to get in there too. Remember the +1!
Looks like this combat will take a bit yet, so let's figure out a book 2 prequel for our new friends too. Want to defend the Inn from some rioters? Start some in character RP? Let me know and I'll set it up!
I would definitely be up for that - taking on some 'righteous rioters' and a bit of RPing would be nice ;-)
Still waiting for Fellzir's action on Gameplay.
I'll post Kantaria prequel stuff here on Discussion to avoid confusing matters for the separate groups.
Looking as if it were built from shabby grey wood, the Little Uskwood is actually constructed from lumber imported from its namesake — the Uskwood in shadow-touched Nidal to the north. Built to accommodate travelers journeying between Nidal and the Chelish heartlands, the inn’s gloomy ambiance seems depressing to many Chelaxians and other visitors, but Nidalese guests find the atmosphere comforting and refreshing.
The Innkeeper is also Nidalese, as was her father who founded the Inn originally. Loredana Viorica is small of frame and slight of build with a lithe grace to her movement. She might seem almost delicate were it not for her shrewd grey-eyed gaze and her stern manner. She keeps her dark hair tied up and tidy. Loredana Art
She is not known for her fine cuisine, however, as she invites you to sit and dine with her, serving up a fish chowder as gray as the surroundings. The meal is serviceable, mostly due to a heavy hand with the salt and pepper, but the bread and wine are good. Likely owing to having been procured elsewhere.
She gives a slightly apologetic look, fully aware of the meager nature of the fare. "It just isn't the same without a halfling in the kitchen, is it? We're all feeling the pinch without our slaves. I tried to retain the cook, at least, offered good wages, even in addition to room and board. But she wouldn't stay, given the choice. I'm not sure why..." She trails off absently, taking a sip of her wine.
"So what are they saying on the streets?" She asks, conversationally.
Charles does not have much in the way of an appetite, but he forces himself to eat, grimly consuming food without any obvious relish.
I need to keep my body in decent shape, if I am to have any hope of making them pay.
Distracted by his thoughts, he is only half-listening to what his host has to say, but manages to dredge-up something halfway serviceable.
"There are many who have undoubtedly been caught-up in the heady fervor of what is going on, trading bread today for the promise of better bread tomorrow, or following the honeyed tongues of those who promise much..."
Of course, knowing what the Nidalese are like, I could hazard a guess that other factors might have come into play...
Not one for delicately dripping poison in the ears of others, or charming the birds out of the trees, for that matter, Charles keeps his ears pricked for the word on the street...
The thinly built noble looks once more to his only somewhat finely crafted doublet and breeches and heaves a sigh. "I simply do not know," he says, clearly uncomfortable but still with a level of haughtiness that seems permanently a part of Sercrutio's voice. "It is as if they simply do not want to work. Those people have no idea what they have done. The slips simply have nothing better to do than to serve. Truly, they will all see soon enough." The raven haired chelaxian daintily takes a bite from the bread and a sip from his glass.
The other voice answers, head bobbing in a nod. "Don't surprise me. No one's so barmy as a bloody zealot. Seen that first hand, we have." They trundle off in agreeable silence.
Given your professional interests, it is unsurprising that you hear word of a colleague of sorts; Faydreth Zaine, a half elven wizard member of the Glorious Reclamation's newly appointed governing counsel. It's said he helped liberate Kantaria, and has now taken up residence in the old Narikopolus Manor. The Narikopoluses were the former ruling family before the revolution and were renowned for quickly adapting to the fiendish allegiances of House Thrune. "He'd better have a care pouring through their library of Arcana." One old sage suggests, and another answers, "Could be that was what his aim all along. That old family was always fiercely protective of their dark secrets."
Charles winces slightly, feeling both conflicted guilt, indignation, and distaste for what he overhears.
Simply replacing order with disorder is so... unsightly.
Back at the dinner table, he ponders how much to share.
"I have heard rumours that a blade, supposedly wielded by Ioemdae Herself, has been discovered... and that the discoverers fought like rats in a burning cage over whom should have the chance to wield it."
There is no need to mention the origins of those responsible. They have turned their backs on the Order, and their names and existences deserve to be struck from the official record, and this world...
"Absolutely!" Sercrutio exclaims as a follow-up. "That accursed Glorious Reclaimation is just full of scavengers! Why, that Faydreth Zaine just joined in to get his hands on the Narikopolus family secrets! Can you imagine?! Him getting his half-blooded hands on such a righteous treasure?!" he fumes. "If I could march over to that manor and get my hands on him...I'd boil the impurity right out of his blood...slowly..." His now reddened face contrasting with his black hair gave him a devilish look. And his eyes, which certainly completed the ensemble, glinted with an unnatural power.
Loredana’s grey eyes spark with interest at Charles’ news. ”Iomedae’s sword, you say? I wonder whose hands hold it now… I shall have to see what Nevilindor knows about it.” She says, idly toying with her wine glass.
”I did find it odd that the Reclamation sought to remove Archbaron Narikopolus. The histories say that Arakhan Narikopolus fought at the head of Iomedae’s army against the aberrant Veiled Masters. She was said to favor his family.” She gives a slight shrug of the shoulders, ”Though I suppose that was long ago and the ruling family had proved… adaptable to the shifting political climate of Cheliax. Perhaps they see such flexibility as a sin.” She shakes her head in clear disagreement with such an opinion.
Loredana gives a wry smile in response to Sercutio’s rising ire. ”You may get your chance. But be patient, Zaine has ingratiated himself into the new power structure. As have I, to a lesser degree. And as will you.” She quirks an eyebrow as she watches your reactions to this assertion.
”Oppian Nevilindor is governor of Kantaria now. We didn’t choose this game but we still must play the pieces as they lay.”
Charles shrugs.
"Just as the sins of the father should not be inflicted upon the son, so should the son many times removed not rest upon the laurels of their ancestor. That said, removing someone who has been doing solid work for the city simply because their politics are inconvenient seems wasteful."
He then frowns.
"Throwing away the board simply results in anarchy, and refusing to play is utterly petulant behavior. If possible, I definitely intend to roll the dice myself..."
"I will concede," Sercrutio says after a nod of acknowledgement to Loredana and a patient exhale, "that a shake up during a long game can make it interesting. Ingratiating is certainly the next task. You are one step ahead of me Loredana. By the way, how did you do it?"
Loredana hides an amused smile behind her wine cup as she takes a sip. Her face resumes a much more somber expression when she lowers it. "Whatever else he may be, Nevilindor is no fool. The Little Uskwood is by far the most successful Inn to serve Kantaria." She says with no small amount of pride. "As such, I am in a position to learn much of use to a man in his newly obtained and tenuous position. You'll find many local business owners among his councilors. He surmises, and rightly so, that the town's entrepreneurs are those most invested in seeing Kantaria thrive."
There is a soft scratching noise like that of a rodent within the wall nearby and Loredana startles, her wine slopping over the rim of her glass. Then there is a buzz of insectile wings and a revolting whiff reminiscent of chamber pots and sulfur as a horrid creature pops into view. Some twisted parody of a cherubim, it's upper body is like that of a plump human infant with the abdomen of a gigantic gore fattened fly complete with six legs and membranous wings. Red compound eyes gaze over your little dinner party, lingering a moment on Sercrutio.
"Madame Viorica, excuzzze the interruption. Archbaron Fex sends hizzz regards and begzzz that you prepare for hizzz arrival."
"He comes now? Very well, Razelago. I will prepare the circle. Excuse me, gentleman." She rises and carries her own dishes out of the room leaving you both alone with the zebub, with whom at least one of you is already acquainted and the other has at least been made aware of.
The small devil hovers in the air over the dinner table, his insectile forelegs rubbing together with a sort of washing motion familiar to common houseflies. He nods his head in a twitchy greeting and looks on Sercrutio with a proprietary gleam in his crimson eyes. "You seem to have settled in well, Wizzzard." He buzzes conversationally.
Sercrutio gives a clear nod of deference when the devil scans the room the first time.
When addressed, he gives the boys one more. "My success this far is due to your devilship's gifts. Given your presence here, I can only assume that I will have the opportunity to demonstrate my worthiness of such gifts. I look forward to the opportunity."
"Well, at least he isn't a complete idiot, then..."
Charles' nose wrinkles slightly at the eau de cologne of the latest arrival, but he diplomatically keeps his mouth shut, knowing that allies can be strange bedfellows at times.
Sounds like that one might have already sold his soul. I hope he at least managed to get a good price for it... Still, even Iomedae and Asmodeus have worked together (relatively) amicably when the need has arisen. If only their foolish mortal followers showed a tenth as much sense!
I have not yet looked for a 500gp item. Maybe a flawed ioun stone?
The fly-like mouth-parts protruding from Razelago's pudgy, infantile face widen his mouth in some grotesque semblance of a pleased grin.
"Yezzz, I will be prezzzent from time to time. You will get your chanzzze."
Then Loredanna is returning with five men on her heels.
Looking over everyone's skill sets, shoring up Sense Motive would be helpful for most for what we have coming up. A cracked dark blue rhomboid ioun stone fits the bill at 400 gp and grants +1 competence bonus on Perception and Sense Motive checks. We can say the Hag's loot contained 6 of those unless someone has an alternate (<500gp) request.
The first encounter in Wrath of Thrune is set up to be a sort of Ultimate Intrigue based "social combat", whereby you try to gain influence with important NPCs through a series of skill checks and dialogue.
Or if you prefer something more straightforward to begin like a traditional combat, we could start with that instead. This book is described as a Sandbox so your input will drive the action.
I will tend to move us forward about every other day, with or without input. I will default to the path as laid out in the AP without any. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease..." so by all means, squeak! XD
And speaking of squeaking, if anyone should be *cough*interested*cough* in Loredana Viorica, you should let me know. Either here or by PM is fine too. ^_~
cracked dark blue rhomboid ioun stone is not a bad choice. But maybe for those who already have some bonus in SM? Going from +0 to +1 doesn't seem like a big game-changer.
The Shrike would perhaps better benefit by boosting bluff or intimidate with a cheaper Pink and Green Cracked Sphere, and maybe a consumable for boosting SM (like scroll of Tears to Wine or Intuition serum)
Not everyone needs sense motive, I believe. Social combat is teamwork just like the non-social one?
Oh, also... Unless we are doing Thrune business 24/7, Giuliano tries to spend 4 hours every day socializing and making contacts (to build his renown).
"After spending 1 week doing this, whenever he is in his social identity, all NPCs in the community have a starting attitude toward him that is one category better, as long as each person’s initial attitude would have at least been indifferent." Plus bonus to intimidate in vigilante identity.
Oh, also... Unless we are doing Thrune business 24/7, Giuliano tries to spend 4 hours every day socializing and making contacts (to build his renown).
"After spending 1 week doing this, whenever he is in his social identity, all NPCs in the community have a starting attitude toward him that is one category better, as long as each person’s initial attitude would have at least been indifferent." Plus bonus to intimidate in vigilante identity.
That's all fine, I can have you gather rumors about the town at the same time. But if we do the social event first, you won't have the renown established by then.
Not everyone needs sense motive, I believe. Social combat is teamwork just like the non-social one?
Not for this event. It's specified for each PC to attempt to influence one NPC but you will get further opportunities to influence your "mark" beyond the initial encounter.
This is probably better in the discussion tab anyway.
The only untrained usable professiony skills are Craft and Perform.
I guess do the fight first? I will pick some spells to prepare based on what we are told beforehand.
Yikes, I posted twice, or at least I think I did, it may have been "lets hit preview, so I check how it comes out, and then I actually forget to hit submit post".
Heh. I just had a thought - could our resident crafter make a bunch of Plaguebringer's masks for us (at 1000gp to craft each, we could easily afford them now)?
It could become a group 'calling card' of sorts, whilst also masking our alignments before we hit 5th level ;-)
The other (relatively cheap) alternative that I can find (and doesn't require recurrent sentient sacrifices) is the Ring of Mind Shielding, but at 8k a pop, that is a way off yet...
Plaguebringer's masks don't work too well for social calls... But if we need to hide our evilness in shadier business, then it could be a nice and cheap option.
Spells/scrolls of undetectable alignment could work until we have money for better solution.
Also, just to note once we hit 5th level: while The Shrike is evil (and will detect so), Giuliano is just lawful neutral.
Aurelius can pass for anything useing misdirection, he will tend to cast it at a random alignment less stone, but he could cast it at someone good but stupid.
Still, he can very easily pretend to be true neutral without actively breaking character too much. He can include one other person into the misdirection, but thats his level 2 spells for the day.
Given the possibilities as they were presented the previous evening, Sercrutio will choose Charisma when casting Visualization of the Mind that evening.
Undetectable alignment is also a 2nd level spell, but lasts 24 hours and offers no will save.
I'll point out that detecting as Evil is not a crime. All it would do is draw attention, something to avoid certainly, but not a game over by any means.
I'm out at Six Flags again, so will probably get your rumors posted tonight or tomorrow. Have a good holiday if you celebrate!
Have fun at Six Flags!
And happy belated turkey day for those celebrating!
Meanwhile, I was like "is this dead, I am not seeing new posts" and suddenly there were 16 of them.
The forums occassionally work in mysterious ways.
Unless someone in the crew has interest in investing in smithing?
I doubt putting a rank in Craft would give me enough skill to make anything in a reasonable amount of time. But it's not a bad idea.
So, if you dive into crafting, and understand how it works, you could notice that crafting or repairing super basic things takes little to no time.
I'm not talking about crafting composite longbows or legendary locks. The vision is crafting or repairing basic things (pots, cart wheels, etc..). The amount of time crafting takes is dependent on the DC and the cost of the item. If an item is 5 copper and DC 5, it doesn't take a high modifier to craft it or fix it.
Edit: I can give an example...
Guillaume with 1 rank in crafting would have a bonus of +5. A 5 cp item with a craft DC 5. A minimum roll (1) would result in a success and take...
6×5=30 sp => 30sp=300cp => 300÷5=60 => 1/60th of a week or 2.8 hours
What is our next step? Do we follow up on some the rumors, or wait for any reactions from the marketplace
Taking on the smithy seems like a reasonable next step. Both in-game organically as well as out of game. Our cover that could be spreading is that we are recent arrivals who work with Viorica. The new arrivals happened across the situation in the market. It would also be sensible if the new arrivals took care of the haunted smithy as they need the services or equipment of the smithy. If we can keep things under the "We work for/with Viorica and we needed X service/equipment" it will maintain a level of sensibility.
Moving forward, I think we should pace ourselves slightly, just to allow one win not to override another too much. A couple of days for the market win to circulate before the smithy win begins circulating. Also, we should stick to things that would benefit our cover initially before delving overly far into apparent altruism. This is Cheliax after all and at least a few of us are Cheliaxian nobles. It would be straining belief to appear as a selfless chelaxian noble.
I think our goal should be to win over the townsfolk's purses or via safety instead of trying for their hearts. Love and togetherness are not exactly hallmarks of chelaxian rule.
*cue evil laughter*
"Ahhh... poppets, how soon you forget your impending social obligations. Up next is that pinnacle of patrician politics, that mandatory menace of mediation... BRUNCH!"
Yes, it's time for Social Combat.
In attendance will be:
- 1) Faydreth Zaine, half-elf wizard and current occupant of Narikopolis Manor. Sercrutio had already expressed an interest in gaining access to the manor's library. Zaine is the NPC to focus on toward that goal.
- 2) Jalila Hadjara, human Iomedaean monk and overseer of Hardship's Hearth, former slave pen and now serving as internment camp to Thrune loyalists. She respects physical prowess and is probably the best mark for Guillaume.
- 3) Jana Holdus, human bard and owner of the successful tavern The Sweetest Drop, she enjoys charming raconteurs and is a likely candidate for Aurelius. (also for his sub-plot previously requested)
- 4) Linton Demeer, who you have already met! Proprietor of Healthy Heart Alchemicals. He will likely be a good target for Giuliano, since he is favorably inclined toward customers.
- 5) Loredana Viorica, who you also already know! Proprietor of the Little Uskwood Inn and secretly your Cover/Handler. She is probably the best target for Charles.
- 6) Oppian Nevilindor, human cleric, governor of Kantaria and Fourth Sword Knight and High Priest of Iomedae. Commander of the Glorious Reclamation's forces in Kantaria. He is likely a good target for Fellzir, even though he still hasn't listed his skill ranks on his sheet for me to be sure. =P
These are my recommendations under the guise of Loredana's advice, but you certainly don't need to adhere to them. Remember you need to pick your 400gp value Ioun Stone from the Hag loot, (yes, Sercrutio and Charles too) and if anyone is interested in pursuing Loredana romantically (or making a pretense of such), she should be your target.
Cracked Dark Blue Rhomboid Ioun Stone
Sercrutio will again Visualization of the Mind Charisma
Cracked Dark Blue Rhomboid Ioun Stone for me, too!
In terms of the 1000gp...
If we are doing social combat, I should stock up on stuff for that, considering I am... less than useless... at base.
Scroll of Cultural Adaptation (-25) + Scribed (-10)
Scroll of Raiment of Command (-150) + Scribed (-40)
Blue Book (Kantaria) (-5)
Fellowship Film x3 (-570)
Crystal-Sweet Concoction x3 (-150)
Courtier's Outfit (30) + Fashionable Accessories (-20)
That turns my -1 on Diplomacy to +8+1d6 for a bit.
In terms of your recommendations, I am happy to go along with them - I will be equally bad at any of them, and getting 'stimmed up' for a 'date' seems appropriate for this game (although I admit, having someone brazenly say to me 'you know what, you should work hard to try and impress me' does make me chuckle a little) :-P
Cracked Dark Blue Rhomboid Ioun Stone for me, too!
In terms of the 1000gp...
If we are doing social combat, I should stock up on stuff for that, considering I am... less than useless... at base.
Scroll of Cultural Adaptation (-25) + Scribed (-10)
Scroll of Raiment of Command (-150) + Scribed (-40)
Blue Book (Kantaria) (-5)
Fellowship Film x3 (-570)
Crystal-Sweet Concoction x3 (-150)
Courtier's Outfit (30) + Fashionable Accessories (-20)That turns my -1 on Diplomacy to +8+1d6 for a bit.
In terms of your recommendations, I am happy to go along with them - I will be equally bad at any of them, and getting 'stimmed up' for a 'date' seems appropriate for this game (although I admit, having someone brazenly say to me 'you know what, you should work hard to try and impress me' does make me chuckle a little) :-P
I feel like I should reiterate "small town" here. You had your shopping excursion and you could certainly have acquired most of your list, especially since you definitely visited the shop of a skilled alchemist. But I'll share that I think it's a waste of money on consumables. I paired everyone with an NPC based on the skills they had, not what you could squeeze out if you threw all your gold at it. XD
Also, while you will have the duration of your Brunch to influence your mark, it is not the ONLY time you will be able to work on them. This is not a win or lose situation. It's just an opportunity to introduce the concept of influencing an NPC and let the PC's try their hand at it. You will have plenty of opportunities to further your efforts. Especially with Loredana, who you see every day. ^_^
And RPed out it would probably sound something more like, "And I suppose that leaves us to people watch and laugh about what everyone is wearing. Do try to say something intriguing. I hate having to feign interest." ^_~
Back soon. Very sorry.
Aurelius wears his heavy armor, with a scabbard reading "Your uplifting message could be here" in celestial.
His armor is not super polished (if someone inquires why, he will say, not incorrectly, that gleaming armor can give an ambush away) but well kept.
Back soon. Very sorry.
Hold-ups are to be expected over the holidays. Hope everything is alright!
You can make the checks when you're ready to jump in. Or it honestly works just fine to leave Oppian as a wallflower at his own party. XD
I'm for going to the smithy.
Smithy indeed.
*poke*
I did narrate you guys to the smithy and updated your map. Let me know how you want to proceed with your investigation.
Sorry for the delay, and merry belated Christmas. I was completely off my routines :)
Is this same day or next day?
Still the same day as the brunch.